Mark Alston-Follansbee, right in photo from the Somerville Homeless Coalition, thanks Robert Gregory, Mikaela McLeod and Caryn Whitney, all of Redbones, for their tremendous Pig Pickin that benefitted the Coalition.

Southern hospitality spilled out the door and down Chester Street as Redbones Barbecue hosted a neighborhood block party attended by over 450 fans of their finger lickin’ great food and supporters of the Somerville Homeless Coalition.

The 13^th Annual Pig Pickin’ event, to benefit the Homeless Coalition, raised $10,000. “Pig Pickin’ is one of our favorite annual events for such a great cause. We’re so thrilled for another successful fundraiser for the homeless.” – Caryn Whitney, co-owner of Redbones with Robert Gregory.  Redbones donated all the food and staff time, so that 100% of the proceeds would go to the Homeless Coalition.

First Row (left to right): Tommy Barton, Antoine Balan, Patrick Barton, Giovany Gracia. Second Row (left to right): Amber Riddle, Lyle Doherty, Xzarria Foster, Dylan Zraket Tayara Romero, Arianna Ross, Leandra Bautista, Facilitator: Samantha Bolt. Third Row (left to right): Facilitator: Jamey Thompson, Yandri Hernandez, Christopher Jacques, Stephen Freitas, Lourdes Jean-Louis, Nathaniel Concepcion, Melanie Baxter, Sasha Porokhina.

The CIT/ LIT Job Readiness Program held its graduation on July 24, 2014 from 12:30-2:00 at The Tufts Administration Building inside the SCALE program.

The graduating class consisted of students between the ages of 13-15, who dedicated four-weeks out of their summer to participate in a program that taught them about job readiness and leadership skills.

Throughout the four weeks these students learned how to lead children, the significance of leadership and communication, the meaning of diversity, how to solve conflicts, and employment training.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

My friend’s family used to own The Coronet Lounge/Bar/Restaurant which went on to become Barnaby’s and then Redbones. It’s located at 55 Chester Street in Davis Square. Locals such as The Skipper, Bobby Doughnuts, Bobby Polaroid, Peter Pizza, Uncle Paul and Magic frequented the joint when it was Barnaby’s. Today you can find a vast array of barbecue loving patrons in Redbones. There are 25 draft beers on tap as well. You can still see the Barnaby’s lettering on The Redbone’s sign. I wonder if The Coronet letters are under that?

100-day community engagement effort will introduce US2, begin visioning for Union Square

Residents, business owners and community members are invited to a kickoff event in Union Square to meet recently selected Union Square Master Developer Partner, Union Square Station Associates (US2). People of all ages are invited for a casual evening of barbecue, meeting US2 staff members and sharing their vision for the neighborhood on whiteboards that will be set up around Union Square’s plaza.

Somerville Neighborhood News is a production of Somerville Community Access Television, made by professional journalists, volunteers and staff. The half-hour news show has as its mission to provide a lively, informative newscast focusing on the events, issues and information impacting Somerville residents.

Wondering about the history or residents of this Somerville Avenue Cemetery? Come learn more from volunteer docents dressed in historic period clothing this weekend! The small historic site, established in 1804, will be open to the public on Sunday, August 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. and Monday, August 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. Volunteers will be on hand at the site for any interested community members to learn about the Somerville residents buried at Milk Row.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Last week, the Legislature passed a bill that would grant Boston 75 new liquor licenses and give Boston the power to appoint its own liquor licensing board instead of vesting that power in the governor. The Legislature should be commended for taking this small step that supports job creation, small businesses, and economic development in growing neighborhoods. Yet this bill begs the question: If the state realizes that more licenses are required to support growing local economies, why have they neglected to lift the archaic cap on liquor licenses? Why do they hang on to an antiquated system that keeps control over the number of licenses on Beacon Hill, instead of giving that control to the people who know those communities the best—the cities and towns themselves?

— Photo by Claudia Ferro

The Sunsetters performed on Kennsington Avenue, Thursday night, July 31. The Ferro family hosted the performance. There was a great crowd this year with a lot of audience participation that night. Ward 1 Alderman Matt McLaughlin and Register of Deeds, Maria Curtatone and her children also dropped by for the show.